Global Research Initiative: Projects and Publications
Led by Saam Morshed, MD, MPH, PhD and David Shearer, MD, MPH, the GRI is among the leading centers in the country actively conducting prospective research in the field of orthopaedic surgery in low-resource settings. Our principal partners include academic centers in Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, and Latin America.
The goal of IGOT’s Global Research Initiative is to enable orthopaedic surgeons from low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) to conduct high-quality studies on how to reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disease in resource-poor environments. To achieve this goal, IGOT hosts the annual “International Research Symposium,” provides guidance on study design and data management for partner institutions, and supports the year-long Morgan and Madison McClellan International Research Fellowship for one 3rd/4th year medical student.
Since 2006, IGOT has worked with 65 global leaders across 10 countries on 45 research projects and facilitated the travel of 50 IGOT ambassadors and scholars to and from our partner institutions.
Current Research Projects
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Sub-Saharan Africa
Principal Investigators: David Shearer, David Gendelberg, Ashraf El-Naga
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GO-Tibia: Randomized Controlled Trial of Local Gentamicin vs. Saline in Open Tibia Fractures
Location: Tanzania
Principal Investigators: David Shearer, Saam Morshed
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C-Reactive Protein (CRP) for Fracture-Related Infection (FRI) Diagnosis in Open Tibia Fractures
Location: Tanzania
Principal Investigators: David Shearer, Saam Morshed
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SIGN: Antibiotic Use in Open Fractures
Location: Global
Principal Investigators: David Shearer, Saam Morshed
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SIGN: Delays to Surgery in Closed Fractures
Location: Global
Principal Investigators: David Shearer, Saam Morshed
Recent Publications:
iGOT Global Research Initiative team has been active in publishing several intriguing articles, check out few of the recent publications!
- O’Marr JM, Rodarte P, Haonga B, Ngunyale P, Roberts H, Morshed S, Shearer D. A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Intramedullary Nailing Versus External Fixation for Open Tibial Fractures in Tanzania. J Bone Joint Surg Am Open Access. 2025;10(1):e24.00006.
- Subramanian A, Gomez-Alvarado F, O'Marr J, Flores M, Adejuyigbe B, Ali S, Rodarte P, Elsevier H, Cortez A, Urva M, Morshed S, Shearer D. Delayed Surgery Increases the Rate of Infection in Closed Diaphyseal Tibial and Femoral Fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025;00:1
- Welch JM, Kamal RN, Kozin SH, Dyer GSM, Katarincic JA, Fox PM, Shapiro LM. Clinical Practice Guidelines to Support Capacity Building in Orthopaedic Surgical Outreach: An International Consensus Building Approach. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2024;106:1924-33
- Flores MJ, MacKechnie MC, Brown KE, O'Marr JM, Rodarte P, Socci A, Miclau T. The Current State of International Academic Partnerships in Orthopaedic Surgery Between High-Income and Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review, JBJS Open Access. 2024;9(3):e24.00033.
- Gatto AP, Atkin D, Tapia JC, Lowenberg M, Kamal RN, Shapiro LM. Implementation of an Electronic Health Record System During Global Surgical Outreach: A Prospective Evaluation of Success and Sustainability. World J Surg. 2024;48(7):1593-1601.
- Roces M, Von Kaeppler E, Donnelley C, Urva M, Cortez A, Brown K, Flores M, Rodarte P, Niknam K, Gomez-Alvarado F, Adejuyigbe B, Zirkle L, Shearer D. An Analysis of Data Quality and Population Characteristics of the SIGN Online Surgical Database: A 20 Year Review. J Orthop Rep. 2024;3(4):100334.
- Brown KE, Zeyl VG, Nadone H, Flores MJ, Shearer D, Morshed S. Characterizing Physical Intimate Partner Violence-Associated Injuries Among Adults in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. 2024;39(4):409-24.
- Flores MJ, MacKechnie MC, Rodarte P, O’Marr JM, Brown KE, Shearer DW, Miclau T. Critical Elements of International Academic Partnerships in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Modified Delphi Approach. OTA International. 2024;7(3):e343-8.
- Flores MJ, Brown KE, O’Marr J, Adejuyigbe B, Rodarte P, Gomez-Alvarado F, Nwachuku K, Urva M, Shearer DW. The Economic Impact of Infection and/or Nonunion on Long-Bone Shaft Fractures: A Systematic Review. OTA Intl. 2024;7(3):e337.
- Ativor V, Konadu-Yeboah D, O'Marr J, Brown K, Rodarte P, Kumah R, Quartey R, Awariyah D, Konadu P, Baidoo PK, Okike K, Morshed S, Shearer DW, Roberts H. Predictors of Quality of Life, Economic Impact, and Loss to Follow-Up after Open Tibial Shaft Fractures in Ghana. OTA Int. 2024;7(3):1-5.